COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M University is set to move forward on one of its most ambitious campus projects to date, following the Board of Regents’ approval of the $250 million Aplin Center. The nearly 212,000-square-foot facility will serve as both a student learning hub and a vibrant community space.

The center is named after Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, CEO of Buc-ee’s and a proud Texas A&M alumnus. The Board emphasized that the project reflects the university’s mission to expand experiential learning opportunities while also creating a central hub for campus life.

“The Aplin [Center] is one place where, when kids come to the campus, that’s where they’re going to begin to congregate and disseminate from there. They got a central place, and so I think that [it’s] not only a learning center, it’s going to be a fun center,” explained Texas A&M Board of Regent Chairman Robert L. Albritton.

A Multifunctional Hub

The Aplin Center will feature a 100-seat theater, a 70-seat multipurpose room, classroom space, and facilities for food innovation and hospitality education. More than just an academic space, the project is designed to merge functionality with community.

“Aplin is going to be more of a utilitarian building that’s addressing needs, and so that is why I think we’re all excited about the [Aplin Center],” Albritton said.

According to the office of Chancellor Glen Hegar, the building will also serve as a welcome center to orient new students and visitors to the College Station campus.

“It brings a lot of needs of the campus that we’ve had for a while into one building. Whether it’s the welcome center, whether it’s the restaurant, whether it’s doing experimental food work, whether it’s doing classroom and hospitality in these things. We’ve needed something like the Aplin Center to do that,” shared Albritton.

Timeline and Location

The Aplin Center will be constructed at the intersection of John Kimbrough and Olsen Boulevards, a central location intended to maximize accessibility. Planning for the facility began in 2022, and construction is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with completion expected by February 2028.

Affordability Commitment

Alongside the project approval, the Regents also passed a tuition and fees freeze for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years, a move intended to reinforce affordability while major capital projects are underway.

“Our job is to constantly make sure that we’re giving the best education at the lowest price that we possibly can. We will not reduce our standards for money. So, what we have to do [is] work very hard [to] keep that money constant and continue to improve the education system,” Albritton added.

A Landmark for Texas A&M’s Future

When complete, the Aplin Center will stand as a defining landmark for Texas A&M, combining state-of-the-art learning environments with spaces that promote community, innovation, and tradition. The project underscores the university’s dual commitment to academic excellence and student well-being.

Originally reported by Dylan Chryst Watkiss in KBTX.